Byron Katie
Born 1942 · Age 83
American speaker and author who developed 'The Work', a method of self-inquiry; founder of Byron Katie International and The Work Foundation; author of multiple books including Loving What Is.
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Life & Career Timeline
Family background recorded (parents)
Daughter of Rodney Reid (train engineer) and Marion Campbell (housewife); grew up in Barstow, California.
Birth of Byron Kathleen Reid (later Byron Katie)
Born Byron Kathleen Reid in Breckenridge / Stephens County, Texas; later grew up in Barstow, California.
Started career in real estate (approx.)
Worked in real estate as a source of income after marriage (exact start date not specified; career referenced in sources).
First marriage to Robert Robinson
Married Robert Robinson in San Bernardino; began family life and had three children.
Divorce from Robert Robinson
She and her first husband divorced in 1975; she was mother of three.
Epiphany and creation of 'The Work' (cockroach moment)
Less than two weeks into treatment she experienced a profound shift (described as a cockroach crawling across her foot) and the four questions of The Work appeared to her; marked the origin of her method.
Major personal health change (weight loss)
She reportedly dropped about 75 pounds following her awakening and changes in habits.
Began informal meetings to teach The Work
After her epiphany she began holding informal gatherings at home, inviting people to write troublesome thoughts and apply her four questions.
Referred to Hope House treatment center
After a decade-long spiral into depression, agoraphobia, overeating and substance use she called her insurer and was referred to Hope House, a residential treatment center in Los Angeles.
Started formal workshops (early 1990s)
Informal meetings evolved into formal workshops in the early 1990s, forming the basis for later organizational structures.
Began traveling internationally to teach The Work
By 1992 she began traveling the world leading workshops and clearing minds en masse.
Formation and growth of organizations (early)
Workshops spawned organizational entities: The Work Foundation (nonprofit) and Byron Katie International (for-profit branch) and international outposts; exact founding dates are early-mid 1990s.
Marin County appearance
A noted appearance in Marin County (Larkspur) where local professionals observed her work and influence; marked expansion in Bay Area.
Workshop engagement at Texas prison
She accepted an invitation to bring The Work to a prison in Texas, demonstrating outreach to correctional institutions.
Publication: Losing The Moon (editorial volume)
Losing The Moon: Byron Katie Dialogues on Non-Duality, Truth and Other Illusions, edited by Ellen J. Mack (The Work Foundation Inc.) published.
California Board of Psychology inquiry
State Board listened to a tape of Katie working with an incest survivor; investigated whether she was practicing psychotherapy; the investigation ended with no finding.
International website and multilingual resources established (by 2000s)
The Work website and downloadable worksheets were translated into many languages and provided broad access to resources (multilingual site in 2000s and later).
Time Magazine recognition
Time published 'Four Questions to Inner Peace' and described Byron Katie as 'a spiritual innovator for the 21st century.'
Marriage to Stephen Mitchell (approx.)
Byron Katie married Stephen Mitchell, writer and translator; LA Times (2002) reported they had been married about 18 months by Nov 2002, implying mid-2001 marriage date.
Product/pricing model in place
Organization sold tapes, videos and merchandise; sample prices reported: 'Cleanse' $250 plus accommodations; 'School' $1,800–$3,000 plus room and board; fleece jacket priced $76.
Publication: Loving What Is (major book release)
Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life, co-authored with Stephen Mitchell, released by Harmony Books (brought wider audience and bestseller status).
Byron Katie International operations described (staff & salary)
By 2002 Byron Katie International had an ocean-view office, an outpost in the Netherlands, a paid staff of seven, and Byron Katie's reported annual salary was $120,000. Merchandise and workshop fees generated revenue.
Celebrity and donor engagement noted
Noted supporters and private workshop clients included celebrities and donors (e.g., Norman Lear's wife Lyn and recording-industry figures); private revenue streams expanded outreach.
Board & leadership roles documented
Andy Bernstein named director of Byron Katie International and industry figure Jeff Gold noted as board member; Stephen Mitchell serves as collaborator and public spokesperson.
Acceptance of The Work for continuing education (CEUs)
The Work was accepted for continuing education units by professional organizations for social workers, nurses and marriage counselors (reported circa early 2000s).
Host of New Year’s Cleanse retreats
Annual 'New Year’s Cleanse' intensive (e.g., summer camp in Malibu, juice fast) documented as part of the program offerings.
Son Ross Robinson (record producer) publicly connected to The Work
Her son Ross Robinson (record producer) credited The Work with improving his life and reportedly purchased a Jaguar for Byron Katie; this connection influenced publicity.
Los Angeles Times in-depth profile
LA Times published a long profile (Allison Adato) detailing Byron Katie's life, method, organizations, staff, school, merchandise, and finances.
Publication: I Need Your Love—Is That True?
I Need Your Love—Is That True?: How to Stop Seeking Love, Appreciation, and Approval and Start Finding Them Instead, co-authored with Michael Katz, published by Harmony Books.
Began hosting 'Loving What Is' radio show on VoiceAmerica
PR Newswire announced bestselling author Byron Katie to host 'Loving What Is: The Byron Katie Hour' on the VoiceAmerica Channel starting in 2005.
Publications: A Thousand Names for Joy & Quotations collection
A Thousand Names for Joy (with Stephen Mitchell) and Question Your Thinking, Change the World (quotations) published; continued expansion of written corpus.
Publication: Who Would You Be Without Your Story?
Who Would You Be Without Your Story?: Dialogues with Byron Katie (edited by Carol Williams) published by Hay House.
Publication: Tiger-Tiger, Is It True? (children's book)
Tiger-Tiger, Is It True?, illustrated by Hans Wilhelm, published by Hay House.
Publication: Peace in the Present Moment (with Eckhart Tolle)
Collaborative publication with Eckhart Tolle released in 2010, expanding cross-author collaborations and audience reach.
Major interview: Huffington Post feature
Interview/profile coverage in major outlets such as Huffington Post ('Byron Katie Just Wants You to Be Happy').
Mention in popular music/press through son’s work
Her influence and family connections (son Ross Robinson) surfaced in profiles and oral histories about music (e.g., Rolling Stone coverage referencing Korn and Ross), amplifying reach.
Publication: The Four Questions (children/illustrated version)
The Four Questions: For Henny Penny and Anybody with Stressful Thoughts published (illustrated by Hans Wilhelm).
Publication: A Mind at Home with Itself
A Mind at Home with Itself: How Asking Four Questions Can Free Your Mind, Open Your Heart, and Turn Your World Around, with Stephen Mitchell, published by HarperOne.
Organizational institutions in Ojai and school programs (established by this time)
Byron Katie International includes the School for the Work and Turnaround House in Ojai, California; programs and teacher trainings run regularly.
Digital & remote programs expand (At Home offerings)
The Work's online offerings and remote sessions expanded; Byron Katie began regular online/Zoom programming in later years (At Home with BK).
Ongoing At Home with BK Zoom programming (as of site 2025)
Official site advertises daily/weekly Zoom sessions 'At Home with BK' and extensive downloadable resources in dozens of languages; organization remains active.
Key Achievement Ages
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